Can't adjust playback volume on HDA Intel card (Alsa 1.0.13, Linux 2.6.18.2)

lithiumfx · 11-05-2006, 09:12 AM

Hello,

I'm using CRUX Linux 2.2 on a Fujitsu Siemens AMILO Pi 1505. Before I rant away about my problems, here's some basic system information -

Quote:

lspci
00:00.0 Host bridge: Intel Corporation Mobile 945GM/PM/GMS/940GML and 945GT Express Memory Controller Hub (rev 03)
00:02.0 VGA compatible controller: Intel Corporation Mobile 945GM/GMS/940GML Express Integrated Graphics Controller (rev 03)
00:02.1 Display controller: Intel Corporation Mobile 945GM/GMS/940GML Express Integrated Graphics Controller (rev 03)
00:1b.0 Audio device: Intel Corporation 82801G (ICH7 Family) High Definition Audio Controller (rev 02)
00:1c.0 PCI bridge: Intel Corporation 82801G (ICH7 Family) PCI Express Port 1 (rev 02)
00:1c.1 PCI bridge: Intel Corporation 82801G (ICH7 Family) PCI Express Port 2 (rev 02)
00:1c.2 PCI bridge: Intel Corporation 82801G (ICH7 Family) PCI Express Port 3 (rev 02)
00:1d.0 USB Controller: Intel Corporation 82801G (ICH7 Family) USB UHCI #1 (rev 02)
00:1d.1 USB Controller: Intel Corporation 82801G (ICH7 Family) USB UHCI #2 (rev 02)
00:1d.2 USB Controller: Intel Corporation 82801G (ICH7 Family) USB UHCI #3 (rev 02)
00:1d.3 USB Controller: Intel Corporation 82801G (ICH7 Family) USB UHCI #4 (rev 02)
00:1d.7 USB Controller: Intel Corporation 82801G (ICH7 Family) USB2 EHCI Controller (rev 02)
00:1e.0 PCI bridge: Intel Corporation 82801 Mobile PCI Bridge (rev e2)
00:1f.0 ISA bridge: Intel Corporation 82801GBM (ICH7-M) LPC Interface Bridge (rev 02)
00:1f.1 IDE interface: Intel Corporation 82801G (ICH7 Family) IDE Controller (rev 02)
00:1f.2 SATA controller: Intel Corporation 82801GBM/GHM (ICH7 Family) Serial ATA Storage Controller AHCI (rev 02)
00:1f.3 SMBus: Intel Corporation 82801G (ICH7 Family) SMBus Controller (rev 02)
05:00.0 Network controller: Intel Corporation PRO/Wireless 3945ABG Network Connection (rev 02)
06:04.0 FireWire (IEEE 1394): O2 Micro, Inc. Unknown device 00f7 (rev 02)
06:04.2 Generic system peripheral [0805]: O2 Micro, Inc. Unknown device 7120 (rev 01)
06:04.3 Mass storage controller: O2 Micro, Inc. Unknown device 7130 (rev 01)
06:05.0 Ethernet controller: Realtek Semiconductor Co., Ltd. RTL-8139/8139C/8139C+ (rev 10)

Quote:

Installed Alsa software
alsa-driver 1.0.13-1
alsa-lib 1.0.13-1
alsa-oss 1.0.12-1
alsa-utils 1.0.13-1

Quote:

Alsa modprobe lines
alias snd-card-0 snd-hda-intel
alias sound-slot-0 snd-hda-intel
options snd_hda_intel model=5stack
options snd_hda_intel position_fix=2

Quote:

/etc/asound.conf / ~/.asoundrc
pcm.hda-intel {
type hw
card 0
}

ctl.hda-intel {
type hw
card 0
}

pcm.dmixer {
type dmix
ipc_key 1024
ipc_key_add_uid false
ipc_perm 0666 # mixing for all users
slave {
pcm "hw:0,0"
period_time 0
period_size 1024
buffer_size 8192
rate 44100
}
bindings {
0 0
1 1
}
}

pcm.dsp0 {
type plug
slave.pcm "dmixer"
}

pcm.!default {
type plug
slave.pcm "dmixer"
}

pcm.default {
type plug
slave.pcm "dmixer"
}

ctl.mixer0 {
type hw
card 0
}

Quote:

gcc
Using built-in specs.
Target: i686-pc-linux-gnu
Configured with: ../gcc-4.1.1/configure --prefix=/usr --libexecdir=/usr/lib --enable-languages=c,c++,objc --enable-threads=posix --enable-__cxa_atexit --enable-clocale=gnu --enable-shared --disable-nls --with-x=no
Thread model: posix
gcc version 4.1.1

Quote:

uname
Linux darkmove 2.6.18.2 #1 SMP Sun Nov 5 13:49:13 GMT 2006 i686 Genuine Intel(R) CPU T2050 @ 1.60GHz GenuineIntel GNU/Linux

The problem I'm experiencing is that I can't adjust playback volume via mixing applications or software. There seems to be no master/PCM channel, or any facility to adjust the output volume for specific channels. I can hear audio fine, with both speakers on my laptop playing audio at good quality in stereo. My headphone/output jack works fine, and everything other than volume adjustment is working perfectly. In AlsaMixer, I have the following controls -

Quote:

I have no PCM or master controls. I cannot adjust the volume for 'Front', 'IEC958' or 'Caller ID', and those channels which I can adjust make no difference to the output volume for the laptop or external speakers that I connect. Changing the input source doesn't help either. According to AlsaMixer, my card is a 'HDA Intel' and the chipset is a 'Motorola Si3054'. I've tried all the suggestions I can find regarding this issue, both from LQ and elsewhere, and none help. Apparently, the 'Front' channel is likely to be my master control, but for some reason I can't adjust it at all. It's worth mentioning that muting channels in AlsaMixer doesn't help either. My asound.conf / .asoundrc file being blank, with only the hda-intel specific lines, or with dmixing only doesn't make a difference. The only application that I've been able to adjust volume with is MPC (an MPD client), but this applies to MPD only. Applications such as xine don't have any ability to adjust the volume, and muting audio makes absolutely no difference (regardless of the contents of my asound.conf / .asoundrc file). I've followed the official Alsa setup guide for the HDA Intel cards, and my kernel is compiled correctly without any audio conflicts. I've also tried OSS emulation, but that didn't work either. At the time of writing, all my installed Alsa software and my kernel are the latest stable versions available.

Any advice & suggestions would be greatly appreciated. Thanks for taking the time to read this post.

The_Outlander · 11-08-2006, 09:26 PM

When you open KMix or whatever you use, the gui is blank - no controls - is that correct?
My only experience with this is;
The driver module not loading or present..
From memory, I compiled my kernel Sound section as modules because it was more reliable than a built in setup. Please don't ask me why. Maybe you have tried this already.
Hope this helps.

lithiumfx · 11-09-2006, 02:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chesh

When you open KMix or whatever you use, the gui is blank - no controls - is that correct?
My only experience with this is;
The driver module not loading or present..
From memory, I compiled my kernel Sound section as modules because it was more reliable than a built in setup. Please don't ask me why. Maybe you have tried this already.
Hope this helps.

I'm missing certain controls from AlsaMixer, yes. My sound is compiled as modules (I too noticed the reliability improve when modular when I used Slackware), with the following lines in rc.modules -

Quote:

/sbin/modprobe snd_hda_codec
/sbin/rmmod -f snd_hda_intel
/sbin/modprobe snd_hda_intel
/sbin/modprobe snd_seq

Also, it's worth mentioning that when disabling the onboard modem on laptops, symptoms similar to mine often result. There's no option to disable the modem in the BIOS, and although it isn't "enabled" under my Linux kernel (I'm unsure of the vendor or model) it's not explicitly disabled, so this isn't likely to be the cause of the problem.

Thanks for your reply. Any more comments are greatly appreciated.

The_Outlander · 11-09-2006, 06:55 PM

I see, do you have time to set the modem up and eliminate that possibility altogether.
Would it be of any use, toenable the kernel module for the modem. Would it do any harm.
This is of little help I know, but you have mentioned the possibility and therefore it maybe worthwhile pursuing that avenue if you have the time.
Would like to help further, but that's all I have to offer at this stage.

Cheers and good luck, hope you get it going. PLease let me know the outcome if you get around to it. I would be most interested to know the detail.

masonm · 11-09-2006, 07:35 PM

Have you tried running (rerunning) alsaconf?

lithiumfx · 11-09-2006, 08:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chesh

I see, do you have time to set the modem up and eliminate that possibility altogether.
Would it be of any use, toenable the kernel module for the modem. Would it do any harm.
This is of little help I know, but you have mentioned the possibility and therefore it maybe worthwhile pursuing that avenue if you have the time.
Would like to help further, but that's all I have to offer at this stage.

Cheers and good luck, hope you get it going. PLease let me know the outcome if you get around to it. I would be most interested to know the detail.

Thanks for the reply. I've had a dig for the modem and information on it. According to a script I found, my modem is likely to be on the soundcard. It's not a serial modem (obviously), and it's not a PCI modem supported by the kernel by default, nor is it a modem that ALSA can support. Enabling the PPP network option that was suggested to me didn't help. I'm going to investigate further by trying to -

1) Find out what model of modem I have (I.e. vendor), and if it's a Winmodem that can be supported under Linux
2) Locate a driver for this modem

However, what I've tried so far hasn't solved the problem. Do you have any other suggestions, as it doesn't look like the modem is supported under Linux at all. Also, as the modem probably *isn't* on the soundcard, it's looking less likely that the modem is to blame (it's an Intel High Definition audio chipset and a separate Winmodem). I tried rolling back to the ALSA drivers in 2.6.18.2 (1.0.12 I think) and this made no difference, I just had a few less options in AlsaMixer. I've tried using OSS emulation, but the problem still existed. It's almost certainly a driver limitation, but users of the 1.0.13 drivers report everything works, so it's either specific to my laptop configuration in terms of hardware, or it's something else I've not realised. Any input would be greatly appreciated.

http://gentoo-wiki.com/HOWTO_slmodem
^ I've followed aspects of that guide (excluding Gentoo-specific steps), and the output from the scanModem utility is unclear as to the modem I have (if any). For reference, I've included the output below -

Code:

 Only plain text email is forwarded by the  DISCUSS@linmodems.org List Server.
 Do use the following as the email Subject Line:
           SomeName, YourCountry 
CRUX  ( kernel 2.6.18.2 
 This will alert cogent experts, and  distinguish cases in the Archives.
 YourCountry will enable Country Code guidance.
 Occassionally responses are blocked by an Internet Provider mail filters.
 So in a day, also check the Archived responses at http://www.linmodems.org .
 Local Linux experts can be found through: http://www.linux.org/groups/index.html
--------------------------  System information ----------------------------
 
CRUX  (
Linux version 2.6.18.2 (root@darkmove) (gcc version 4.1.1) #5 SMP Fri Nov 10 01:46:06 GMT 2006
 scanModem update of:  2006_November_07


USB modem not detected by lsusb

Modem or host audio card candidates have firmware information:

 PCI slot	PCI ID		SubsystemID	Name
 ----------	---------	---------	--------------
 00:1b.0	8086:27d8	1734:10c7	Audio device: Intel Corporation 82801G 

 Modem interrupt assignment and sharing: 
  7:      58279          0          XT-PIC  HDA Intel

 --- Bootup diagnositcs for card in PCI slot 00:1b.0 ----
ACPI: PCI Interrupt 0000:00:1b.0[A] -> Link [LNKG] -> GSI 7 (level, low) -> IRQ 7
ACPI: PCI Interrupt 0000:00:1b.0[A] -> Link [LNKG] -> GSI 7 (level, low) -> IRQ 7
PCI: Setting latency timer of device 0000:00:1b.0 to 64
ACPI: PCI Interrupt 0000:00:1b.0[A] -> Link [LNKG] -> GSI 7 (level, low) -> IRQ 7
PCI: Setting latency timer of device 0000:00:1b.0 to 64
ACPI: PCI Interrupt 0000:00:1b.0[A] -> Link [LNKG] -> GSI 7 (level, low) -> IRQ 7
PCI: Setting latency timer of device 0000:00:1b.0 to 64

 === Finished modem firmware and bootup diagnostics section. ===
 === Next deducing cogent software ===

8086:27d8 is a High Definition Audio card, possibly hosting a soft modem.


There may be novel modem chipset information within the /proc/asound/ 
files. They have been copied and packed into a file: Modem/ALC861.tgz
Please send ALC861.tgz to the scanModem maintainer:  Marvin.Stodolsky@gmail.com

 For candidate modem in PCI bus:  00:1b.0
   Class 0403: 8086:27d8 Audio device: Intel Corporation 82801G
      Primary PCI_id  8086:27d8
    Subsystem PCI_id  1734:10c7 
    Softmodem codec or Vendor from diagnostics: ALC861
                              from    Archives: 
      

 Lacking a dsp (digital signal processing) chip, the modem is a software 
 intensive or "softmodem" type. Its primary controller manages the traffic 
 with the CPU. But the software needed is specified in the Subsystem.
 -----------------------------------------
Support type needed or chipset:	slmodemd

 An ALSA (Advanced Linux Sound Architecture) modem driver:  snd-hda-intel
 provides Low Level support enabling contact with the modem hardware.
 For all BUT Conexant chip soft modems (using hsfmodem software)
 complementary High Level support is through a Smartlink utility:  slmodemd

 Download from http://linmodems.technion.ac.il/packages/smartlink/ 
 the package SLMODEMD.gcc4.tar.gz having a compiled slmodemd. Unpack under Linux with:
 	$ tar zxf SLMODEMD.gcc4.tar.gz
 and read instructions therein. But briefly, the modem is setup with command:
 	 slmodemd -c YOUR_COUNTRY --alsa hw:0,6 
 reporting dynamic creation of ports:
	/dev/ttySL0 --> /dev/pts/N   , with N some number
 Read Smartlink.txt and Modem/YourSystem.txt for follow through guidance.

 Already loaded into the kernel is snd-hda-intel and audio drivers it depends on,
 displayed by:	lsmod | grep snd_hda_intel
Module                  Size  Used by
-------------------------------------
snd_hda_intel          14104  2 
snd_hda_codec         146304  1 snd_hda_intel
snd_pcm                59140  4 snd_hda_intel,snd_pcm_oss,snd_hda_codec
snd                    39908  10 snd_hda_intel,snd_pcm_oss,snd_mixer_oss,snd_seq,snd_seq_device,snd_hda_codec,snd_pcm,snd_timer
snd_page_alloc          7304  2 snd_hda_intel,snd_pcm


The diagnostic outputs for this softmodem section have their raw information in
folders and text files under /proc/asound/ which you can browse. The information
is from files:
	/proc/asound/pcm
-------------------------------
00-06: Si3054 Modem : Si3054 Modem : playback 1 : capture 1
00-01: ALC861 Digital : ALC861 Digital : playback 1
00-00: ALC861 Analog : ALC861 Analog : playback 1 : capture 2

	/proc/asound/modules
-------------------------------
 0 snd_hda_intel
	/proc/asound/card0/codec#1
-------------------------------
Codec: Realtek ALC861
Address: 1
Vendor Id: 0x10ec0861
Subsystem Id: 0x15840000
Revision Id: 0x100300
Default PCM: rates 0x140, bits 0x0e, types 0x1
Default Amp-In caps: N/A
Default Amp-Out caps: ofs=0x00, nsteps=0x00, stepsize=0x00, mute=1
Node 0x03 [Audio Output] wcaps 0x405: Stereo Amp-Out
  Amp-Out caps: N/A
  Amp-Out vals:  [0x00 0x00]
  Power: 0x0
Node 0x04 [Audio Output] wcaps 0x405: Stereo Amp-Out
  Amp-Out caps: N/A
  Amp-Out vals:  [0x80 0x80]
  Power: 0x0
Node 0x05 [Audio Output] wcaps 0x405: Stereo Amp-Out
  Amp-Out caps: N/A
  Amp-Out vals:  [0x80 0x80]
  Power: 0x0
Node 0x06 [Audio Output] wcaps 0x405: Stereo Amp-Out
  Amp-Out caps: N/A
  Amp-Out vals:  [0x80 0x80]
  Power: 0x0
Node 0x07 [Audio Output] wcaps 0x605: Stereo Digital Amp-Out
  Amp-Out caps: N/A
  Amp-Out vals:  [0x00 0x00]
  Power: 0x0
Node 0x08 [Audio Input] wcaps 0x10051b: Stereo Amp-In
  Amp-In caps: ofs=0x02, nsteps=0x0d, stepsize=0x0b, mute=1
  Amp-In vals:  [0x00 0x00] [0x00 0x00] [0x00 0x00] [0x00 0x00] [0x00 0x00] [0x00 0x00]
  PCM: rates 0x140, bits 0x02, types 0x1
  Power: 0x0
  Connection: 6
     0x0d 0x0c 0x0f 0x10 0x11* 0x15
Node 0x09 [Vendor Defined Widget] wcaps 0xf00000: Mono
Node 0x0a [Vendor Defined Widget] wcaps 0xf00000: Mono
Node 0x0b [Pin Complex] wcaps 0x400581: Stereo
  Pincap 0x081f: OUT HP Detect
  Pin Default 0x01014110: [Jack] Line Out at Ext Rear
    Conn = 1/8, Color = Green
  Pin-ctls: 0x40: OUT
  Power: 0x0
  Connection: 1
     0x16
Node 0x0c [Pin Complex] wcaps 0x400581: Stereo
  Pincap 0x0837: IN OUT Detect
  Pin Default 0x411111f0: [N/A] Speaker at Ext Rear
    Conn = 1/8, Color = Black
  Pin-ctls: 0x20: IN
  Power: 0x0
  Connection: 1
     0x19
Node 0x0d [Pin Complex] wcaps 0x400581: Stereo
  Pincap 0x08337: IN OUT Detect
  Pin Default 0x411111f0: [N/A] Speaker at Ext Rear
    Conn = 1/8, Color = Black
  Pin-ctls: 0x20: IN
  Power: 0x0
  Connection: 1
     0x18
Node 0x0e [Pin Complex] wcaps 0x400581: Stereo
  Pincap 0x0817: OUT Detect
  Pin Default 0x99030120: [Fixed] Line Out at Int ATAPI
    Conn = ATAPI, Color = Unknown
  Pin-ctls: 0x40: OUT
  Power: 0x0
  Connection: 1
     0x19
Node 0x0f [Pin Complex] wcaps 0x400581: Stereo
  Pincap 0x0833f: IN OUT HP Detect
  Pin Default 0x411111f0: [N/A] Speaker at Ext Rear
    Conn = 1/8, Color = Black
  Pin-ctls: 0x40: OUT
  Power: 0x0
  Connection: 1
     0x1a
Node 0x10 [Pin Complex] wcaps 0x400581: Stereo
  Pincap 0x0833f: IN OUT HP Detect
  Pin Default 0x01a1994e: [Jack] Mic at Ext Rear
    Conn = 1/8, Color = Pink
  Pin-ctls: 0x24: IN
  Power: 0x0
  Connection: 1
     0x1b
Node 0x11 [Pin Complex] wcaps 0x400001: Stereo
  Pincap 0x0863: IN
  Pin Default 0x99330140: [Fixed] CD at Int ATAPI
    Conn = ATAPI, Color = Unknown
  Pin-ctls: 0x00:
Node 0x12 [Pin Complex] wcaps 0x400301: Stereo Digital
  Pincap 0x0810: OUT
  Pin Default 0x01454130: [Jack] SPDIF Out at Ext Rear
    Conn = Optical, Color = Green
  Pin-ctls: 0x40: OUT
  Connection: 1
     0x07
Node 0x13 [Vendor Defined Widget] wcaps 0xf00000: Mono
Node 0x14 [Audio Mixer] wcaps 0x20010b: Stereo Amp-In
  Amp-In caps: ofs=0x00, nsteps=0x00, stepsize=0x00, mute=1
  Amp-In vals:  [0x00 0x00] [0x00 0x00]
  Connection: 2
     0x0d 0x10
Node 0x15 [Audio Mixer] wcaps 0x20050f: Stereo Amp-In Amp-Out
  Amp-In caps: ofs=0x0c, nsteps=0x17, stepsize=0x0b, mute=1
  Amp-In vals:  [0x80 0x80] [0x80 0x80] [0x00 0x00]
  Amp-Out caps: ofs=0x0c, nsteps=0x0c, stepsize=0x0b, mute=1
  Amp-Out vals:  [0x0c 0x0c]
  Power: 0x0
  Connection: 3
     0x11 0x14 0x1c
Node 0x16 [Audio Mixer] wcaps 0x20010b: Stereo Amp-In
  Amp-In caps: ofs=0x00, nsteps=0x00, stepsize=0x00, mute=1
  Amp-In vals:  [0x00 0x00] [0x00 0x00]
  Connection: 2
     0x03 0x15
Node 0x17 [Audio Mixer] wcaps 0x20010b: Stereo Amp-In
  Amp-In caps: ofs=0x00, nsteps=0x00, stepsize=0x00, mute=1
  Amp-In vals:  [0x00 0x00] [0x00 0x00]
  Connection: 2
     0x04 0x15
Node 0x18 [Audio Mixer] wcaps 0x20010b: Stereo Amp-In
  Amp-In caps: ofs=0x00, nsteps=0x00, stepsize=0x00, mute=1
  Amp-In vals:  [0x00 0x00] [0x00 0x00]
  Connection: 2
     0x05 0x15
Node 0x19 [Audio Mixer] wcaps 0x20010b: Stereo Amp-In
  Amp-In caps: ofs=0x00, nsteps=0x00, stepsize=0x00, mute=1
  Amp-In vals:  [0x00 0x00] [0x00 0x00]
  Connection: 2
     0x06 0x15
Node 0x1a [Audio Mixer] wcaps 0x20010b: Stereo Amp-In
  Amp-In caps: ofs=0x00, nsteps=0x00, stepsize=0x00, mute=1
  Amp-In vals:  [0x80 0x80] [0x80 0x80] [0x00 0x00] [0x00 0x00]
  Connection: 4
     0x04 0x06 0x15 0x03
Node 0x1b [Audio Mixer] wcaps 0x20010b: Stereo Amp-In
  Amp-In caps: ofs=0x00, nsteps=0x00, stepsize=0x00, mute=1
  Amp-In vals:  [0x80 0x80] [0x80 0x80] [0x00 0x00] [0x00 0x00]
  Connection: 4
     0x04 0x06 0x15 0x03
Node 0x1c [Audio Mixer] wcaps 0x20010b: Stereo Amp-In
  Amp-In caps: ofs=0x00, nsteps=0x00, stepsize=0x00, mute=1
  Amp-In vals:  [0x00 0x00] [0x00 0x00]
  Connection: 2
     0x0c 0x0f
Node 0x1d [Vendor Defined Widget] wcaps 0xf00000: Mono
Node 0x1e [Vendor Defined Widget] wcaps 0xf00000: Mono
Node 0x1f [Pin Complex] wcaps 0x400581: Stereo
  Pincap 0x0817: OUT Detect
  Pin Default 0x411111f0: [N/A] Speaker at Ext Rear
    Conn = 1/8, Color = Black
  Pin-ctls: 0x40: OUT
  Power: 0x0
  Connection: 1
     0x18
Node 0x20 [Pin Complex] wcaps 0x400581: Stereo
  Pincap 0x0817: OUT Detect
  Pin Default 0x411111f0: [N/A] Speaker at Ext Rear
    Conn = 1/8, Color = Black
  Pin-ctls: 0x40: OUT
  Power: 0x0
  Connection: 1
     0x17
Node 0x21 [Vendor Defined Widget] wcaps 0xf00000: Mono
Node 0x22 [Vendor Defined Widget] wcaps 0xf00000: Mono
Node 0x23 [Beep Generator Widget] wcaps 0x70000c: Mono Amp-Out
  Amp-Out caps: ofs=0x0f, nsteps=0x0f, stepsize=0x0b, mute=1
  Amp-Out vals:  [0x8f]
-------------------------------
Current support status of HDA cards is:
  Vendor IDs  Chip maker     Support type 
  ----------  ----------    -------------
  0x14f12bfa  Conexant      hsfmodem , not slmodemd compatible
  0x11c13026  AgereSystems  snd-hda-intel, slmodemd supported
  0x11c11040  AgereSystems      "             "    , patch needed
  0x11c13055  AgereSystems      "             "    ,      "
  0x163c3055  Smartlink         "             "    ,      "
  0x163c3155    "               "             "    ,      "
  0x10573055  Motorola          "             "    ,      "
  0x10573155     "              "             "    ,      ""
as of October 2006.

and from the command:
	aplay -l | grep -i modem
card 0: Intel [HDA Intel], device 6: Si3054 Modem [Si3054 Modem]

----------------end Softmodem section --------------

Writing Intel.txt
Writing Smartlink.txt

 Completed candidate modem analyses.

 The base of the UDEV device file system is: /dev/.udev

 Versions adequately match for the compiler installed: 4.1.1
             and the compiler used in kernel assembly: 4.1.1

 Kernel-header resources needed for compiling are not manifestly ready!

 If compiling is necessary packages must be installed, providing:
	 kernel-source-2.6.18.2

Checking settings of:	/etc/ppp/options


Read Modem/YourSystem.txt concerning other COMM channels: eth1
Which can interfere with Browser naviagation.

 Don't worry about the following, it is for the experts
 should trouble shooting be necessary.
==========================================================

 Checking for modem support lines:
 --------------------------------------
     /device/modem symbolic link:   
slmodemd created symbolic link /dev/ttySL0:  
     Within /etc/udev/ files:

     Within /etc/modprobe.conf files:

     Within any ancient /etc/devfs files:

     Within ancient kernel 2.4.n /etc/module.conf files:

--------- end modem support lines --------

When trying the suggested action in the output above, I get -

Code:

# ./slmodemd -c UK --alsa hw:0,6
SmartLink Soft Modem: version 2.9.11 Mar 13 2006 18:27:33
error: cannot find group 'uucp': Success
symbolic link `/dev/ttySL0' -> `/dev/pts/2' created.
modem `hw:0,6' created. TTY is `/dev/pts/2'
Use `/dev/ttySL0' as modem device, Ctrl+C for termination.

Even with this, however, I have no PCM or master channels, and can't adjust the unadjustable mixer channels. Perhaps this rules out the modem?

Quote:

Originally Posted by masonm

Have you tried running (rerunning) alsaconf?

Yes. I've removed /etc/asound.state too so that it runs 'clean'. I've run it without any sound modules loaded, and in a variety of other configurations, and it always complets successfully. Regardless of what I do, no additional mixer controls (such as master or PCM) are available, and the 'Front' channel that seems promising won't adjust. Thanks for the reply, by the way.

Any other suggestions are welcome, thanks for the help so far.

The_Outlander · 11-09-2006, 08:48 PM

The modem is identical to the one on my Toshiba. I configured it with ALSA some time ago although confess to no sound as yet, but otherwise no problems.
I remember that I had the same problem with the mixer controls - no ability to change the volume, but I cannot remember how I fixed it.
However, as I type, have you addressed permissions, do you think this may be an issue. Is your user a member of the audio group. What are the permissions on your sound/audio devices. I often change permissions to ridiculous settings (777) to determine whether that is the problem and then change them back of course. How does the sound perform as root?
You proably need to create the group uucp and maybe add your user account to that, as it seems that the modem will work for you.
Hope this is helpful.

The_Outlander · 11-09-2006, 09:17 PM

I should have said "I now remember having the same issue", it has just come to mind and I do recall fixing a sound problem by altering permissions. It was some time ago and I do apologise for not being specific, but keeping notes is not my strong point.

lithiumfx · 11-10-2006, 04:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chesh

The modem is identical to the one on my Toshiba. I configured it with ALSA some time ago although confess to no sound as yet, but otherwise no problems.
I remember that I had the same problem with the mixer controls - no ability to change the volume, but I cannot remember how I fixed it.
However, as I type, have you addressed permissions, do you think this may be an issue. Is your user a member of the audio group. What are the permissions on your sound/audio devices. I often change permissions to ridiculous settings (777) to determine whether that is the problem and then change them back of course. How does the sound perform as root?
You proably need to create the group uucp and maybe add your user account to that, as it seems that the modem will work for you.
Hope this is helpful.
I should have said "I now remember having the same issue", it has just come to mind and I do recall fixing a sound problem by altering permissions. It was some time ago and I do apologise for not being specific, but keeping notes is not my strong point.

Thanks for your continued help and replies. I've never used a modem under Linux, so I have no experience of testing one (i.e. once the device is available, getting a dial tone from it) - I've only ever used ethernet or wireless via a LAN. The permissions of /dev/adsp,audio,dsp,mixer and /dev/snd/* were root:audio 644. My user account is in the audio group already, and adjusting the permissions to 777 didn't solve the problem. I'm sorry for not mentioning root access, but AlsaMixer has never worked for root either. There's no uucp group, but saying that CRUX has no audio group by default. Do you have any other suggestions regarding the mixer? Perhaps my card has no master or PCM channel, as in the physical card itself has no such control, but the 'Front' channel has turned up results as acting as the master in some cases.

Here's the /etc/asound.state file, i.e. what channels are in AlsaMixer. Note that for 'Front Playback Switch' (Front?), the access is 'read write', which implies I should be able to change it.

Code:

state.Intel {
    control.1 {
        comment.access 'read write'
        comment.type BOOLEAN
        comment.count 1
        iface MIXER
        name 'Off-hook Switch'
        value false
    }
    control.2 {
        comment.access 'read write'
        comment.type BOOLEAN
        comment.count 1
        iface MIXER
        name 'Caller ID Switch'
        value false
    }
    control.3 {
        comment.access 'read write'
        comment.type BOOLEAN
        comment.count 2
        iface MIXER
        name 'Front Playback Switch'
        value.0 true
        value.1 true
    }
    control.4 {
        comment.access 'read write'
        comment.type INTEGER
        comment.count 2
        comment.range '0 - 23'
        iface MIXER
        name 'Mic Playback Volume'
        value.0 0
        value.1 0
    }
    control.5 {
        comment.access 'read write'
        comment.type BOOLEAN
        comment.count 2
        iface MIXER
        name 'Mic Playback Switch'
        value.0 false
        value.1 false
    }
    control.6 {
        comment.access 'read write'
        comment.type INTEGER
        comment.count 2
        comment.range '0 - 23'
        iface MIXER
        name 'CD Playback Volume'
        value.0 0
        value.1 0
    }
    control.7 {
        comment.access 'read write'
        comment.type BOOLEAN
        comment.count 2
        iface MIXER
        name 'CD Playback Switch'
        value.0 false
        value.1 false
    }
    control.8 {
        comment.access 'read write'
        comment.type INTEGER
        comment.count 2
        comment.range '0 - 13'
        iface MIXER
        name 'Capture Volume'
        value.0 0
        value.1 0
    }
    control.9 {
        comment.access 'read write'
        comment.type BOOLEAN
        comment.count 2
        iface MIXER
        name 'Capture Switch'
        value.0 true
        value.1 true
    }
    control.10 {
        comment.access 'read write'
        comment.type ENUMERATED
        comment.count 1
        comment.item.0 Mic
        comment.item.1 CD
        iface MIXER
        name 'Input Source'
        value CD
    }
    control.11 {
        comment.access read
        comment.type IEC958
        comment.count 1
        iface MIXER
        name 'IEC958 Playback Con Mask'
        value '0fff000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000'
    }
    control.12 {
        comment.access read
        comment.type IEC958
        comment.count 1
        iface MIXER
        name 'IEC958 Playback Pro Mask'
        value '0f00000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000'
    }
    control.13 {
        comment.access 'read write'
        comment.type IEC958
        comment.count 1
        iface MIXER
        name 'IEC958 Playback Default'
        value '0400000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000'
    }
    control.14 {
        comment.access 'read write'
        comment.type BOOLEAN
        comment.count 1
        iface MIXER
        name 'IEC958 Playback Switch'
        value false
    }
}

Code:

Simple mixer control 'Front',0
  Capabilities: pswitch
  Playback channels: Front Left - Front Right
  Mono:
  Front Left: Playback [on]
  Front Right: Playback [on]

That's an extract of output from amixer. Running 'amixer set Front 100%'" or 'amixer set Front 1%' doesn't make a difference to the volume, but the command completes successfully. As, under the capabilities for 'Front' there's no 'pvolume' (playback volume), it looks like it's a non-adjustable channel.

I'm missing the master or PCM channel. Any ideas?

The_Outlander · 11-10-2006, 05:59 PM

I have two sound cards on my PC. The onboard nvidia has both Master and PCM on the Output. The C-Media has Master only, however, there is PCM on the input side. You would expect a Master control on a modern card at the very least. Or is this a case of just use the volume control provided on the laptop - that doesn't make sense.
You cannot control the volume with the "volume control wheel" ? As I remember, you did say that you cannot control the volume at all. I guess that includes any physical control aside from the mixer interface.
I guess you need to be absolutely sure that your card has Master and/or PCM before you proceed.
Wish I could be of more help

lithiumfx · 11-10-2006, 08:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chesh

I have two sound cards on my PC. The onboard nvidia has both Master and PCM on the Output. The C-Media has Master only, however, there is PCM on the input side. You would expect a Master control on a modern card at the very least. Or is this a case of just use the volume control provided on the laptop - that doesn't make sense.
You cannot control the volume with the "volume control wheel" ? As I remember, you did say that you cannot control the volume at all. I guess that includes any physical control aside from the mixer interface.
I guess you need to be absolutely sure that your card has Master and/or PCM before you proceed.
Wish I could be of more help

There's no physical wheel on the laptop, however there is a key combination, but this doesn't work under Linux (and xev doesn't detect an event, so there's no hope of using the keys). As MPC can adjust volumes, it must use embedded software mixing. Is there any way to adjust asound.conf to use such mixing? Thanks for your continued help. Any other suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

The_Outlander · 11-10-2006, 10:26 PM

You have probably seen this.
http://www.alsa-project.org/alsa-doc...p/asoundrc.php

lithiumfx · 11-11-2006, 07:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chesh

You have probably seen this.
http://www.alsa-project.org/alsa-doc...p/asoundrc.php

I've had a read and I've tried a variety of the examples given, to no avail. Thanks for your continued help with this matter. Do you have any other suggestions, other than throwing the laptop out the window?

lithiumfx · 11-17-2006, 07:14 PM

Bump for assistance.

c0mpm5tr · 11-28-2006, 11:10 AM

I am currently having the exact same problem, after reading a bunch of stuff, I think what might be happening is that the mixer is being set up for the modem, and not the soundcard...
output of aplay -l:

**** List of PLAYBACK Hardware Devices ****
card 0: Intel [HDA Intel], device 0: HDA Generic [HDA Generic]
Subdevices: 1/1
Subdevice #0: subdevice #0
card 0: Intel [HDA Intel], device 6: Si3054 Modem [Si3054 Modem]
Subdevices: 1/1
Subdevice #0: subdevice #0